are mexican jumping beans really jump? why?

Question

why is it called "jumping beans" ?

Answer 1

Mexican jumping beans are named because they are native to Mexico where they are known as Brincadores.
They are a type of seed in which the egg of a small moth (larve) has been laid. It is the moth's larva which makes them "jump".
After the egg has hatched, the larva eats away the inside of the bean, making a hollow for itself. It attaches itself to the bean with many silken threads. When the bean is abruptly warmed, for instance by being held in the palm of the hand, the larva twitches and spasms, pulling on the threads and causing the characteristic hop. "Jump" is often an exaggeration, but the beans are nonetheless far from immobile.

Answer 2

Mexican jumping beans are a phenomenon native to Mexico where they are known as Brincadores. Physically, they resemble small tan or brown beans. They are a type of seed in which the egg of a small moth has been laid. It is the moth's larva which makes them "jump". The beans themselves are from a shrub of the genus Lovenstra (V. palmeri or S. lovenstra), while the moth is of the species Carpocapsa saltitans — "carpo" indicating that it lives within a seed (see podocarp), and "saltitans" referring to its jumping behavior. After the egg has hatched, the larva eats away the inside of the bean, making a hollow for itself. It attaches itself to the bean with many silken threads. When the bean is abruptly warmed, for instance by being held in the palm of the hand, the larva twitches and spasms, pulling on the threads and causing the characteristic hop. "Jump" is often an exaggeration, but the beans are nonetheless far from immobile.

Answer 3

The thing that makes these beans jump is a tiny moth larvae that lives inside the bean. The moth lays its eggs in the flower of the plant, and the eggs are incorporated into the seeds. The larvae then eat out the interior of the bean and live there. When the larvae move, so does the bean. Eventually, the larvae turn into moths that emerge from the beans to repeat the cycle.

Answer 4

The beans actually have a small insect in them that make the "bean" seem to jump when the insect pops around in the shell. The shell resembles a small bean, thus being called a jumping bean when it pops around.

Answer 5

Yes there is like some kind of insect larva in them?? and when they get hot enough they jump don't ask me how I remembered that, but yeah... LOL! they jump!

Answer 6

yarr..why else would they be called jumping beans =] its cos there is a worm in it, thats why it jumps i think...

Answer 7

No, I don't think so. They only jump in cartoons.

Answer 8

yes the way they are shaped

Answer 9

no... uh that was a weird question